The Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mukhtar Shehu Shagari, has intensified efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s inland waterways sector through international collaboration following a strategic meeting with the President of the World Maritime University, Professor Maximo Q. Mejia Jr., during the ongoing IMO Council Meeting.
The meeting, held in London yesterday, focused on leveraging global expertise to support inland waterways development, maritime education, capacity building and sustainable transportation systems in Nigeria.
Speaking during the engagement, Shagari who led Niwa acting Managing Director, Yusuf Girei to the meeting, informed that Nigeria remains committed to modernising its inland waterways infrastructure and developing the skilled workforce needed to drive growth in the sector. He noted that the country’s vast waterways network presents significant opportunities for transportation, trade and blue economy development.
According to him, strategic partnerships with internationally recognised maritime institutions are essential to achieving the Federal Government’s objectives of improving safety, efficiency and economic activities on the nation’s inland waterways.
The NIWA Board Chairman stressed that enhanced collaboration in research, training and knowledge exchange would help Nigerian maritime professionals acquire the technical competencies required to address emerging industry challenges and align with global best practices.
Responding, Prof. Mejia reaffirmed the World Maritime University’s commitment to supporting member states through education, research and capacity development initiatives. He commended Nigeria’s growing focus on maritime development and expressed the institution’s readiness to deepen cooperation with relevant agencies and stakeholders in the country.
The WMU President noted that long-term maritime growth can only be sustained through investments in human capital, innovation and strict adherence to international standards.
Both leaders also explored opportunities for expanding specialised training programmes, academic exchanges and institutional partnerships aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s maritime administration and inland waterways management framework.
Informed Maritime stakeholders described the engagement as a positive step towards connecting Nigeria’s inland waterways sector with global centres of excellence and ensuring that the country benefits from international best practices in water transport development.
The meeting formed part of a series of high-level engagements at the IMO Council session, where maritime leaders are discussing policies and initiatives designed to promote safer, more secure and environmentally sustainable shipping worldwide.